Air Cavalry concept tested by Indian army.

“Apocalypse Now” is the movie that definitely made the air cav’ concept so popular in the world. It appeared rather early in the US Army during the Vietnam war. Since then, many countries able to afford enough helicopters to implement the concept have elaborated tactics involving this way of moving troops and attacking some targets. The Indian Army has tested this concept in the desert terrain of Rajasthan.

Indian Army Dhruv transport helicopter. An armed version was displayed at DefExpo India 2018 last April in Chennai (Picture source: Socimage)

To enhance its defence capabilities, the Army tested the concept under which armed helicopters carry out combined action against the enemy in coordination with tanks and mechanised ground forces. This has been achieved in connection with the development of indigenous helicopters of various types.

This is a new concept for the Indian Army which wants to reshape land battle with a powerful punch from the air in coordination with troops on the ground. "In the recently held offensive exercise 'Vijay Prahar' in Mahajan firing ranges near Suratgarh, the concept of 'Air Cavalry' was tried by the South Western command," defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha told PTI. The concept was implemented after a detailed deliberation, sand-model discussions and war gaming.

In normal battle scenario, attack helicopters are called in on requirement basis by forces moving on the ground to launch an attack where the ground forces are not able to neutralise the target due to any reason, including difficult terrain. Under the 'Air Cavalry' concept, attack helicopters are fully integrated with tanks and mechanised ground forces.

A fleet of armed helicopters simultaneously flies in air and performs a number of tasks, including troop insertion in forward areas, on the spot aerial recce, launching attacks and it proves more powerful and a good speed in the action is achieved. "This requires a very high degree of precision, coordination and continuous upgradation. It saves time and energy," another senior officer of the SW command said. "The forces achieve more flexibility and fluidity in an operation and multitasking can be performed more quickly, swiftly and effectively and the ground commanders can act decisively, boldly and offensively," the officer said.

The Army is gradually inducting helicopters equipped with ultra-modern sensors and high-precision weapons and therefore a need was felt to use the "Air Cavalry" concept for increasing capabilities in monitoring and protecting both eastern and western borders of the country.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd is developing Light Combat Helicopter for the Army to meet its requirement for an attack helicopter which can operate at high altitude. The Army will also operate AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. In August 2017, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of six units.